Eating under the disapproval gaze of Choi Sanggung1Choi Sanggung – sanggung is the 5th senior rank court lady, Choi is her last name. Sanggung is the highest rank attainable by a court lady. wasn’t among Soyong’s favorite things. She got used to dealing with constant nagging and corrections on how she sits, walks, and eats, however, Soyong soon realized that her court maid was simply allowing her to disobey sometimes. And then there was the extra strict look Choi Sanggung could give her that Soyong didn’t know how to act around. That look meant only one thing: Choi Sanggung was judging Soyong’s behavior as unworthy of a noble lady. And for the Queen of a nation, it was unacceptable.
Choi Sanggung didn’t have to even voice it. Soyong knew it was related to the King and how abruptly Soyong left him alone last night. It was very rude to leave without saying a word even if she had every right to be annoyed about the whole boat trip failure.
The truth of her escape however was in Soyong’s feeling of pity towards the King. He made a joke about his life ending too early and Soyong didn’t want for him to somehow read on her face that’s exactly what his fate was. She ran away like a coward because she wasn’t ready to tell him the truth.
Of course, Choi Sanggung couldn’t possibly know Soyong’s true reasons for acting so rudely. But Soyong felt in her heart that she deserved that judgmental look either way.
The only person who was unbothered by Soyong’s misbehavior was Hong Yeon. As a true friend who had known Soyong for her whole life, she gave up trying to reason with her agashi2Agashi – Young Lady / Miss is the term often used to address the daughters of nobles. a long time ago.
“Your Highness must eat before food gets cold,” Yeon raised a spoon with porridge before Soyong’s face.
“I’m not a child, Yeon-ah,” Soyong smiled at her friend but one look at Choi Sanggung made her drop her smile.
“Aren’t your arms still hurt?” Yeon blinked in confusion.
Soyong woke up today in a rather good mood despite her body aching after last night’s unexpected exercises. She whined in a teasing manner and Yeon gave her a massage. Then the eunuch arrived from His Majesty with ointment to treat her sore muscles.
All that reminded their date once more.
It was a ridiculous date. Soyong in a way felt relieved it failed. It only showed that romance simply didn’t work for them. The only problem was Soyong’s knowledge about the future, she felt too bad for the King who would be betrayed by someone he trusts. But that was a reaction of a decent person not wanting another person getting hurt physically or emotionally. At least this is what Soyong kept telling herself because surely, her feelings for the King were fading away.
And then Choi Sanggung appeared with the breakfast. That’s when Soyong started feeling really ashamed under the strict look of her older maid.
“His Majesties ointment really helped,” Soyong took the spoon out of Yeon’s hand and started eating herself.
“Right,” Yeon smiled brightly, she certainly found anything happening between the King and Soyong as the greatest romance in the world. “Will Your Highness thank His Majesty for ointment?”
Soyong glanced at Choi Sanggung trying to read her face. The latter only raised a brow, silently questioning what Soyong was planning to do.
“I have no time for this,” Soyong said out of spite. “I need to think about how I’m going to live my life behind the palace’s walls.”
Choi Sanggung let out a cough but Soyong ignored it.
“My family lost all power and my father had to give up most of his goods,” she continued unbothered by an even louder fake cough the court maid gave. “Most likely I will have to find a work.”
“But Your Highness never worked before!” Yeon exclaimed looking surprised.
Soyong felt offended by those words. She studied and studied and gained all the needed knowledge for the position of the Queen. It was a work too!
“I can sell embroidery,” Soyong suggested after a moment of thought. She has been very good at it since a young age and everyone has praised how neat her embroidery turns out to be.
“Hanyang’s3Hanyang was the capital and largest city in Joseon. It was the center of the country’s government and home to the royal family and high ministers. As a result, the city hosted a constant undercurrent of political intrigue between various factions vying for control of the government. Now it’s Seoul – the capital of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). market is flooded with embroidery, it’s not anything new,” Yeon pointed out a simple truth.
That would mean her hard work would gain very little money.
“Well, then… I can write,” Soyong come up with a new plan. Yes, she can write ridiculous romantic novels herself. They all looked the same and yet people, including Soyong, couldn’t get enough of those.
“But Your Highness is terrible at writing,” Yeon reminded to Soyong. It looked like her friend didn’t understand how her words could annoy her even if all of them were the truth. “Remember you tried to pass exams instead of young master Kim Hwan? You excelled in everything but literature.”
“That’s not true, he passed all exams thanks to me!” Soyong argued. Unbelievable that Hong Yeon still remembered it and brought that up. Kim Hwan got a slightly lower score on the literature exam but in Soyong’s defense, the scoring an essay on literature is a very subjective matter. Another examiner could’ve given it a higher score!
“But remember how you struggled with faking His Majesties letter for Lady Hwa Jin?” seemed Hong Yeon took a mission to point out every flaw in Soyong.
“He writes in poetry and new time didn’t fit well to rhyme! Anyone would struggle with it!” Soyong felt her cheeks heating from embarrassment. “Who writes in poetry these days, it’s cringy!”
The letter was also delicate, Soyong remembered. It showed how much the King cherished Hwa Jin. Soyong’s heart ached at her misfortune in love back then and she wished to receive those cringy letters in poetry from the King so badly. Now it felt like a ridiculous wish of a young naïve girl in love. Soyong outgrew this and wasn’t in love anymore. Not to that extent at least.
“Hong Yeon is right, Your Highness,” Choi Sanggung joined the conversation at last. “If Your Highness wishes to work, you must come up with something unique to gain a higher price.”
Soyong pondered which knowledge of hers she could use. She could become a teacher to kids from noble families but it’s not something people are ready to pay a lot of money for. Most likely Soyong and her father would have to get used to a much simpler lifestyle.
“Could your knowledge from the future help?” Yeon suggested but Soyong shook her head, dismissing the idea.
“I wasn’t there long enough to master something new,” Soyong explained with a sad sigh.
Making a confident decision to leave was much easier than actually doing it. Soyong wasn’t afraid of work but would prefer to keep their estate where she grew up and had so many fond memories. But it would cost more than she probably could gain. And they needed to eat something and feed servants who would keep a house, gardens, and a yard with a gazebo in a decent state.
Soyong thought about how luxurious her life actually was. How often she couldn’t even finish her enormous breakfast and food get wasted or servants would eat the scraps from her table. What a shameful life she lived without even realizing it. And she thought she was intellectual enough to notice the unfairness of the Joseon and the gap between the poor and nobility but she missed what was under her nose only because her servants lived slightly better than in other houses. It was her father’s rule, to treat servants fairly, give them good food, and arrange for physicians to visit them if they were sick. It was his way to gain their loyalty so they could be more reliable when they guarded his goods. But they still were just servants, not equal to their masters.
As she wandered in her thoughts, Soyong remembered last night and the conversation with the King. A sudden idea came to her mind when she recalled his words regarding Chef Jang.
“Something unique,” Soyong whispered, the outline of the plan started to show in her head.
“Choi Sanggung, His Majesty mentioned before that Chef Jang used to cook at the royal kitchen, is it true?” Soyong asked. The food of the future is something unique that could make them stand out and gain more income.
But they needed a cook…
“And he mentioned ramyeon, does it mean the royal chef can cook a modern dish like that?” the plan was coming together as a puzzle, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“All is true, Your Highness,” Choi Sanggung confirmed. “But how it would help you?”
Soyong’s lips spread in a cunning smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief and based on the changed expression on Choi Sanggung’s face, her maid didn’t expect anything good from her.
“I heard Choi Sanggung is very close with the royal chef,” Soyong knew they were more than just close, a romance was budding between them while she was gone. Soyong’s secrets are not the only ones Hong Yeon was exposing without thinking. “Are you close enough for him to follow you outside the palace?”
Choi Sanggung snorted: “Is it Your Highness’s plan, to use someone else’s work for your benefit?”
“The food he learned to cook is unique, he will be rich if his tavern gets popular,” Soyong explained, unbothered with her friend who yet again gave her a strict look.
“Why should the royal chef abandon his career at the palace and if he would, why does he need Your Highness’s assistance to open his own tavern?”
Soyong sighed, those were valid questions but she couldn’t give up so easily.
“He won’t get the recognition he deserves at the royal kitchen,” Soyong answered the first question. “And the tavern could be the part of a guest house. He could cook while we work at the guest house.”
She never meant she would simply sit doing nothing while others worked hard for her. And Soyong still felt a little bit offended that people would think that way about her intentions.
“Besides… All my life I learned how to be a perfect Queen. However, I think the main trait I mastered in my studies is how to lead and help people achieve their goals. Even a good idea needs skillful leadership.”
Soyong raised to her feet and walked past her friend: “Shall we visit the royal chef? I need to see if he’s any good.”
“But the King?” Choi Sanggung asked following Soyong’s fast pace.
“There’s no time,” Soyong didn’t even turn her head to say that, determined to meet the royal chef.
“But Your Highness could’ve written…”
But Soyong was already slipping into her shoes and left Daejojeon Hall4Daejojeon Hall – Queen of Joseon’s residence after the wedding.. She felt much better after teasing her friend but it unfortunately didn’t distract Choi Sanggung enough to forget about her duties to nag Soyong regarding the King.
***
The smell of spices was the first thing Soyong noticed when she entered the royal kitchen’s yard. She saw some herbs and various peppers drying in the sun and many big vessels with supplies. As Soyong was there for the first time it amazed her how big the royal kitchen was. It probably took a lot of effort to manage such a huge place.
With Yeon and Choi Sanggung by her side, she finally entered the main kitchen and found it very crowded. It was almost time for the midday meal and people in the kitchen were busy making preparations. Among them was one man who gave commands while doing nothing himself. He seemed to be the same height as Soyong or Choi Sanggung but looked much wider, especially in contrast with his subordinates who were all thin and quick while running around the kitchen cooking.
The royal chef’s back was turned to the entrance and didn’t notice intruders in his precious kitchen.
“Ya, why are you all so slow, that rice won’t cook itself!” He scolded one of the cooks. “Ahhhh, so good to be in charge again…” He laughed still oblivious to the Queen’s presence.
“I bet the previous chef didn’t go easy on you,” Soyong’s voice was sweet but her intentions weren’t. If she knew something about men it was that they were very competitive and she was sure Bong Hwan was like that. Woman form or not, he probably dominated the kitchen with all his knowledge from the 21st century.
The royal chef shuddered, hearing her voice and it only proved Soyong’s guess on how the dynamic in the kitchen was while Chef Jang was here.
“Yo-your Highness?” The chef abruptly turned to look at her. The tears gathered in his eyes making Soyong almost feel bad for a silly man with a wavy mustache. “Why? Why did you come back!”
Oh, those weren’t happy tears, Soyong understood. They probably didn’t get along at all and their relationship was far from having friendly teasing.
“Being the Queen took all my time,” Soyong shrugged unbothered. She saw that man for the first time in her life but his reaction made her want to amuse herself pretending to still be the Chef. “But I’m back to see how you manage the kitchen.”
“Everything is perfectly fine,” the royal chef answered so fast all words merged into one. “You can go back to your royal duties…” He faked a wide smile but his eyes were so pleading.
“My heart keeps wondering if the kitchen is in good hands,” Soyong faked a sad sigh. “I’m afraid I need proof before I leave.”
She stepped closer to the chef so suddenly he jumped in surprise. Soyong chuckled at this reaction, liking more and more this new post-Chef Jang reality where she could have a bit more fun at the palace. She moved her face to the royal chef’s ear and whispered the name of the dish she wished for him to cook.
The Royal Chef let out a giggle from her whisper: “You want me to cook something so simple?” He scoffed and shook his head.
“A true art is turning something simple to extraordinary,” Soyong argued. “Aren’t you an artist in the kitchen?”
Looked like Soyong’s plan to challenge the chef worked just well. The man laughed, gave her a weird look but still turned around and started preparations. Happy that she didn’t have to bluff she would cook herself to bring this competitive spirit out of the royal chef, Soyong turned and walked back to stand between Hong Yeon and Choi Sanggung.
“Do you really have nothing else to do than test the royal chef’s nerves?” Choi Sanggung’s voice was calm and soft but Soyong knew her better, the older woman was still quite disappointed in her.
“That’s a bit sad, isn’t it?” Soyong turned her head to Choi Sanggung. “All my life I was preparing for the moment when I can be the Queen but once I got here turned out I came here for nothing.”
“Your Highness, you’re not honest with yourself,” Choi Sanggung smiled, her soft voice now sounded sincere. “You have a choice now.”
Soyong looked away, leaving Choi Sanggung’s words without an answer. She couldn’t say anything because her friend was right. There was no choice for Soyong before, she was a mere of puppet in her clan’s hands. Now she can do anything she wants and she chose to run. She says it would make her happy. Who wouldn’t be happy being free? But even if she did run, she would always wonder, what if she fulfilled her dream and became the Queen people would remember through history?
Until the chef finished cooking the dish Soyong requested, she didn’t say a word to anyone, thinking about Choi Sanggung’s words. Before the wedding, she wanted to escape so badly and she still wants to, more than ever. It is an act of self-care for her. She believed that happiness was unreachable at the palace. This is how things were in the royal family. She was blinded by love, deluding herself her life would be different from all Queens before.
But still, she felt torn apart. Because the King changed. He changed enough to continue treating her well even if there wouldn’t be any love between them. And she could’ve saved him and helped to create a better Joseon.
The cough of the chef brought Soyong back from her deep thoughts.
“All is ready,” he boasted, pointing at the bowl with her dish. The steam was rising above hot rice and broth. “You thought the royal chef can’t cook a commoner’s dish?” He smirked and scoffed, looking away as if he was deeply offended by Soyong’s doubts about his skills. Looked like behind his bravado Chef Man-bok still wanted to be appreciated by Chef Jang.
“I’m sure the person I asked to cook it for would be pleased,” Soyong smiled. “Prepare the second bowl for His Majesty.”
Chef Man-bok froze on the spot: “Hiiii-His Majesty?” Soyong nodded confirming. “How can I send a dish for commoners to His Majesty? Your Highness, have mercy!”
Soyong laughed: “Don’t you forget I am a harpy of the palace! What mercy are you asking?”
Looking miserable, Chef Man-bok filled in another bowl and put a lid to cover both bowls so they wouldn’t lose their temperature. Soyong nodded to Hong Yeon to take the tray. When she turned to leave, she saw Choi Sanggung looking at her with a mix of warmth and pride.
“By the time I woke up, His Majesty was already attending the royal conference,” Soyong explained. “And afterward, His Majesty usually goes on the long walk to clear his thoughts. Right now he probably is back in Seonjeongjeon Hall5Seonjeongjeon Hall – King’s study., reading appeals.”
“Her Highness knows His Majesties’ schedule so well!” Hong Yeon exclaimed.
“You could’ve sent a simple letter,” Choi Sanggung softly said. She was trying to make Soyong write a letter since the morning.
“Personal apology would be more suitable after my last night’s rudeness, don’t you think?” Soyong asked.
She walked outside with Hong Yeon carrying the tray and Choi Sanggung silently following them. Conflicted feelings or not, she promised His Majesty they would know each other better before parting ways. Avoiding him wasn’t in her plans. The best cure for her residual feelings would find as many flaws in the King as possible so that friendship would become their only option. Also, if they divorce as friends, there are higher chance people will question her behavior less knowing the King won’t approve of slander towards her.
While approaching Seonjeongjeon Hall, Soyong noticed a familiar face she hadn’t seen in a long time: Kim Byeong-in. She was surprised to see him wearing a red uniform of the Royal Investigation Bureau. They were always close and she knew the work of government services or anywhere near politics was far from his dream.
“Orabeoni6Orabeoni – how the sister refers to her brother in the family.!” Soyong waved her hand, getting his attention as they both walked towards the Seonjeongjeon Hall’s stairs. But suddenly her cousin froze and, with a terrified face, turned around and walked fast in the opposite direction. “Orabeoni?” She called again but he ignored her and quickened his pace, disappearing around the corner.
“Choi Sanggung, did something happen between me and orabeoni while I was gone?” she shifted her confused look to her friend but the latter only shook her head.
“Young Master was acting strange ever since he visited you, I mean, Chef Jang at your natal home while he was temporarily staying there,” Yeon sounded confused too.
Soyong frowned, thinking if her relationship with Byeong-in was ruined by now. It wasn’t ideal since they kissed the day before her wedding and accident. But she hoped they would move past that mistake and remain good relationship. She might not love him the way he wishes to be loved but nonetheless, the feeling she has for him is love, sisterly love.
“I hope Chef Jang didn’t do anything stupid,” Soyong mumbled nervously. He had no right to push their fragile relationship beyond repair if it’s what really happened.
Soyong shook her head, chasing away bad thoughts. She would talk with Kim Byeong-in later, he can’t avoid her forever.
“Yeon-ah, I can carry the tray now, you can wait outside with Choi Sanggung,” she reached out her hands to take the tray with food from her friend.
Everyone bowed before Soyong as she was walking through the hallway of Seonjeongjeon Hall to the King’s study. She was right about his schedule as one of the eunuchs told her His Majesty just come back from his walk.
“Don’t announce me,” Soyong instructed to servants before the doors. They bowed and slid doors open before her without saying a word.
The King was sitting at the head of his big table. Various books and scrolls with appeals left almost no room on the surface. Consumed in his thoughts, the King seemed to miss her appearance in the room.
Soyong has always been watching him from afar before because the King used to avoid her. And today she remembered how it felt, to just observe him working when even the frown couldn’t ruin his handsomeness. On the contrary, when he looked so serious and mature, Soyong used to love him even more. Now things changed. She still found him handsome but she’s wary of his changed behavior. The wounds from his cold attitude and the mocking words he used to say to her ran too deep.
“Jeonha7Jeonha – Your Majesty.,” Soyong softly called when he turned the book’s page still not noticing her.
He raised his head and his gaze was so distant for a moment before he finally recognized her.
“Jungjeon8Jungjeon – Queen or My Queen.!” He abruptly stood up pushing his chair back with a creak. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting to see you here and was too consumed in my thoughts.”
“Then I came right in time for a lunch break,” she raised the tray in her hands a bit up.
With a gasp, The King finally realized that the table must be cleared. He rushed, shutting books and rolling appeals close. When he finished, he awkwardly pointed with his hand where Soyong could place her tray with food. She gave him a grateful smile as she walked to the table and started making preparations.
“Gukbap9Gukbap – hot soup with rice.?” The King looked surprised seeing the bowl of rice soup.
“Jeonha’s favorite, isn’t it?” Soyong turned to look at him now not so sure if she picked the right dish. She couldn’t tell what he could possibly think by his strange expression.
“How did you know?” He finally asked, raising his eyes from the bowl to her.
“Well, when Jeonha sent Director Hong to find information about your future wife he wasn’t the only one who found something useful,” Soyong chuckled.
She thought the King was curious about her and therefore sent his best friend instead of asking himself because he was shy. Little did she know that the King simply was suspicious of her and there was nothing romantic about it.
They sat at the table, the King at the head and Soyong by his left side. Soyong closely looked at how the King took the first spoon of the soup, waiting for his reaction. The speed with which he lowered the spoon for another portion told her she made the right choice with the dish.
“I’m glad Jeonha likes the dish,” Soyong chuckled, looking at the soup disappearing fast. She herself wasn’t that hungry because she woke up late and it wasn’t too long since she had her breakfast.
When she was halfway through her bowl, the King already finished his, and now Soyong felt awkward because he was looking at how she ate with almost adoration.
“To be honest Jungjeon,” he finally broke the silence. “I was rather upset yesterday that you had no interest in finding anything about me.” He pouted cutely. “But apparently, you already know some things?”
“I couldn’t marry a man I don’t know, so naturally I wanted to know everything I could find,” Soyong confirmed. “You were quite a mystery for me and a challenge. I had to be creative because Jeonha was so good at finding excuses to cancel our meetings.”
She gave him a judgmental look and he lowered his eyes in shame. Now she could understand why Choi Sanggung loves using this look on her so much, it does bring some satisfaction.
“What else Jungjeon found out about me?” The King tried to bring conversation away from his misbehavior.
“I realized Jeonha is a really good archer and only pretending to be bad, it was a big discovery for me,” Soyong chuckled, remembering how many times she visited his training.
At first, she was surprised by how badly the King was with archery and how much he whined that his fingers hurt. But when she figured out it was only his mask for others, she felt like a genius detective cracking the secret code.
“How did you… No one suspected me, I’m sure, how did you know?” The King sounded so surprised it flattered her.
“I noticed your patterns,” Soyong proudly shared. “You did different combinations between hitting the ground, the corner of the target, or the column of the building behind the target. But you always hit the exact same place. You always picked a left lower corner of the target and every time it’s so close to the previous shots. No way it could be unintentional. And the same thing happened with the column: very close hits. It confirmed my suspicions.”
“And you didn’t tell anyone?” The King asked surprised.
Soyong raised her brows, confused by his question: “Why should I tell anyone? If Jeonha needed to hide his skills, then I wouldn’t tell that secret to anyone. I wanted to ask after the wedding but things turned out other way. Now I think it’s apparent why, you were fooling my entire family to strike them unexpectedly.”
“I wish I knew sooner that my secrets were safe with you,” his sincere voice and eyes made Soyong feel something she wished she didn’t. Her plan to find flaws in him was crushing miserably with just this one look.
“I also discovered that Jeonha prefers hanboks in blue color when you go to the city,” Soyong continued fast, trying to move the conversation further so she wouldn’t feel attracted to his captivating eyes.
“Jeonha probably likes that color or simply falsely thinks it looks the best on you,” Soyong noted avoiding looking at him now.
“You think I look better in another color?” The King now sounded amused. That whole topic was such a trap for Soyong, whatever she would say ended up sentimental or teasing.
“I think your dark burgundy with pink sleeves hanbok looked the best, especially in the evening,” Soyong confessed, closing her eyes in defeat. She walked into that conversation herself, she could only blame herself for it.
“Hmmm,” The King hummed, nodding. “Do you know what color looks best on Jungjeon?” Soyong looked at him questioningly. “Red; burning red looks the best on you.”
She frowned, recalling any time he could’ve seen her in red. She had several red attires prepared for after the wedding times but before it, she preferred to wear a different color spectrum. Soyong smiled, mentally thanking the King for giving her this sobering from her attraction topic:
“Jeonha, the only time you saw me in red was at a wedding which you know I’ve missed.”
She never wore red hanboks before him but ceremonial clothes were bright red like he described. And by the look on the King’s face, she understood he realized his mistake too. If he was attracted to her in red he should remember it wasn’t her at that time.
“I didn’t know back then,” The King bubbled fast. “In my eyes, it was you!”
“That’s alright, Jeonha is just confused…” Soyong smiled kindly, it made her so happy. His feelings were temporary and confusing. He probably just felt bad for treating her poorly and because of their connection from the past. But thankfully, those feelings weren’t deep and therefore he could cure them with ease. And she would too, in time.
“I’m not confused, I’m simply a fool!” The King exclaimed so passionately it made Soyong feel pity even more.
“Right, a confused fool.” Soyong agreed with an indulgent smile.
The King looked desperate, it was the second time their meeting ended up with some sort of failure. The more they failed, the more confident Soyong felt about leaving.
“Anyway, what was the fool of a King working on before I interrupted Jeonha?” Soyong moved one of the books to herself to read the cover. It was some sort of documentation from royal conferences from before Cheoljong was crowned.
“I’m… um, I plan a tax reform and was doing research from what previous Kings suggested as a reference,” the King explained. “Our people struggling so much paying taxes, and I want to ease their burden. But ministers are not keen to start changes.”
Soyong nodded, understandingly: “You basically telling them they would gain less money, of course they would oppose.”
“I need to find a solution that would at least pave the way in that direction. I got rid of the regency but I don’t have enough power to do everything I wish without ministers’ approvals,” the King shook his head.
“Before my family got to the power, the Pungyang Jo clan was the most powerful,” Soyong carefully reminded him. “They are as corrupt as my family was.”
“I’m aware, Jungjeon,” the King assured her. “Do not worry, I plan to clear Joseon from rotten parts, whoever they are.”
Soyong nodded: “When you gain more support among ministers, it will be easier to start your reform. But there still will be people who won’t agree with you.”
“In a democracy, every voice is meaningful, I would have to find a way to persuade everyone,” the King agreed. “They are afraid the royal treasury will lose too much which inevitably would lead me to cut costs elsewhere. That could have dangerous consequences.”
“It’s a reasonable concern, not that I believe they worry about common people when they say that,” Soyong snorted the last part. “If they are afraid for the royal treasury so much, they can give up more money in taxes in return.”
“I can imagine the uproar if I suggest it,” the King laughed good naturally.
“Why don’t Jeonha suggest it then?” Soyong asked in a more serious tone. “Let them argue with that and come up with another “noble” reason to refuse the reform and you can crash it with a new suggestion.”
The King frowned, falling into so familiar serious look when he thought deeply.
“That could at least instigate a discussion,” the King raised his eyes at her again. “That’s a good idea, Jungjeon!”
“I’m glad I could assist…”
“You would be a great Queen,” the King interrupted her suddenly. He had that sincere look as before when Soyong’s heart fluttered against her will.
“Does Jeonha say it to all women you‘re attracted to?” Soyong avoided his eyes, trying hard to hide her embarrassment.
“I’ve never said it to anyone before,” the King said and Soyong felt even more flustered by his words. With her dream to be the Queen, it was the best possible compliment a man could give her.
“I’m sure you’ve discussed politics with Jo Hwa Jin as well,” Soyong tried to pivot the conversation to concubine because she knew many considered her to be more worthy of the Queen’s position.
“We did,” the King confirmed. “We used to talk about the Joseon of my dreams a lot,” he smiled nostalgically. “She gave me enormous support: “I believe in Jeonha”, “Jeonha will find a way”, “Jeonha can do anything”. I will be forever grateful for her support,” the King looked into Soyong’s eyes again. “However, Jungjeon is the first woman in my life who talks with me as a partner rather than as my simple supporter.”
“I’m sure if you would ask, Jo Hwa Jin could give suggestions as well,” Soyong still tried to downplay his compliment but she couldn’t even take her eyes away.
“Does a real Queen need to be asked or she can say what’s in her mind freely?” The King smirked. “My words are sincere and come from rational conclusions based on my observation.”
“Jeonha…”
“If you doubt my judgment,” the King interrupted Soyong before she could form another counterargument. “Remember why people opposed your candidacy for the position of the Queen? Your clan was the only reason people could come up with because there were no flaws in your selection.”
Soyong wanted to argue more out of silly rebellion to oppose everything the King had said. But it was ridiculous to refuse his complimentary words when she believed she deserved the position of the Queen after all those years of never-ending study. It still hurt her pride that she now would never know if she would be selected in the fair competition.
“Besides, the Queen shouldn’t be installed based on political ties but chosen by the King’s heart. Everyone deserves a partner of their choice by their side,” Soyong gave her polite and gracious opinion.
The King smiled brightly: “I already did, Soyong-ah.”
Soyong froze hearing her name pronounced with unusual softness and delicacy. The only time the King used her given name was when she was installed as Queen Select. She remembered how warm she felt hearing her name falling from the King’s lips as a song. It was before his hostility, back in the times she believed fate itself led all her life to be a wife to a man she fell in love with at first sight.
“You don’t like me calling you by name?” The King was looking at her reaction attentively.
“It sounds too unusual, only my family calls me like that,” Soyong awkwardly broke their eye contact.
“This is why I should do this more often,” the King teased and repeated: “Soyong-ah…” He chuckled then: “Sounds much better the more I use it. Why don’t you try this too?”
“Why all of sudden, Jeonha?” Soyong felt like she wanted to disappear but it would be rude to run away like she did yesterday.
“I wish for us to use our names instead of titles since we’re getting to know each other as people instead of rulers,” his explanation sounded very reasonable since it was what they agreed on. Yet this proposal had a romantic undertone Soyong wanted to avoid.
“I can try…” Soyong couldn’t outright refuse. Especially if he alone would call her by name, that wouldn’t be a good look for her. And she didn’t want a new circle of rumors to start while she still lived at the palace.
“Wonbeom,” she complied but still stood her ground by cutting the affectionate tone with “ah” ending.
The King seemed to be pleased with the outcome anyway: “It was a long time since I heard my name sounding so soft.”
“How about we count this lunchtime for today’s conversation and meet next time tomorrow?” Soyong proposed.
When she agreed on those dates, she didn’t realize how hard it going to be. She felt embarrassed, awkward, and completely confused, all at once. She was confident with her future plans only when the King was out of her sight and thoughts. The moment she saw him or something reminded her of him, her solid escape plan started cracking.
“As you wish, Soyong-ah,” the King teased her again and Soyong sadly concluded it would be much safer for her heart if he continued to call her chingu10Chingu – a friend..
The King offered to walk her outside and as they talked all their way through the hallway, the King called her by name at least three more times. Even confused looks on the servants’ faces didn’t stop him.
They were about to part ways outside the Seonjeongjeon Hall when Soyong saw her cousin again. Kim Byeong-in noticed her from afar too and froze for a moment. But since the King already saw him, he couldn’t run away again.
“Jeonha…” Soyong started but corrected herself once he looked at her with raised brows. “Can I ask you a question, Wonbeom?” He nodded and she continued: “Why my cousin is in uniform? I know for a fact he never wished to be intertwined in politics.”
“It was one of the last Kim Jwa Geun’s installment at the court and your cousin chose to lead the Department of Justice,” the King explained.
“With all my clan being arrested or exiled, I’m surprised my cousin still kept his place. I know for a fact he is a good man but… given the circumstances…”
“He assured me that your safety is his only concern and I allowed him to continue working at the palace. But Prince Yeongpyeong is keeping a close eye on him. There’s no blind trust on my part but he sounded sincere when he talked about you.”
“Thank you!” Soyong was happy to hear the King not judging her cousin simply because he was installed by Kim Jwa Geun.
Meantime, Kim Byeong-in finally approached them and bowed to greet them: “Your Majesty, Your Highness.”
“Did you come here with your weekly report?” The King asked.
“Yes. I hope I’m not interrupting,” Byeong-in shifted his sad eyes to look at Soyong. She could swear he looked even more miserable than at their last meeting when she pushed him away.
“Can we talk later, orabeoni?” Soyong walked towards him. “I think we have something to discuss.”
He simply nodded and it was enough for her at this moment. Little did she know he would prefer to exit Seonjeongjeon Hall through a backdoor to avoid her yet again.
“I see you tomorrow, Soyong-ah,” the King interfered, making her glance in his direction with anger. Now wasn’t a time for real names! But he only smiled brightly and waved his hand.
“Yeon-ah,” Soyong called for her maid as she looked at the King walking back to Seonjeongjeon Hall. “I want you to take any attire I have in red and put it in the farthest corner of the wardrobe.”
Her friend blinked in confusion but Soyong gave no additional explanation. If Jeonha likes seeing her in red, she would never wear that color before him. That tiny rebellion against his courtship gave her enough satisfaction to still feel like she was in control of her heart. She was wrong of course. But denial was stronger.
==== POST CREDIT SCENE ===
The last cup of wine was too much, Bong Hwan thought, feeling a headache as he woke up. His eyes were closed but he felt in his whole body he was still in Joseon.
Last night he had wine together with Hong Yeon and Choi Sanggung while they were playing tujeon11Tujeon are the traditional playing cards of Korea used in the latter half of the Joseon dynasty. They are also known as tupae.. At one moment, he felt dizzy and everything around him was spinning. That’s when he heard Choi Sanggung asking if he was feeling alright but halfway through her question the voice of the court maid changed into his mother’s. Only her voice could sound so soft and worried at the same time. He remembered calling for her and even seeing her. It was blurry vision but he was certain he was coming back.
And still, he woke up in Joseon.
Bong Hwan sighed in disappointment remaining lying still and refusing to open his eyes and check if his guess was right. But then he sensed something, a movement on his right and someone’s breathing.
He felt like someone was shifting closer to his bedding, was it the royal physician? He better not try to treat him with those scary-looking long needles if he wants his dragon to stay where it is!
Feeling annoyance, Bong Hwan opened his eyes abruptly but the first thing he saw made him freeze in shock.
It was lips.
Rather thin ones.
Man’s lips.
Man’s lips hovering over him moments away from the kiss.
“Aaaaaaaaaa!!!” he shouted wiggling away from the threat to his masculinity.
“Soyong-ah,” breathed out thin lips that belonged to no other but Queen’s cousin Kim Byeong-in. He knew it, those eyes looked at the Queen with too much affection to be considered brotherly love.
“What the hell are you doing!” Bong Hwan squeaked in the Queen’s voice.
“I was just…” Byeong-in looked so heartbroken by the reaction that tears pooled in his eyes.
“I don’t need the real answer!” Bong Hwan shouted in a more steady voice. The first shock was dying down a bit. Now he was just angry. “You don’t kiss women while they are unconscious!”
“I’m sorry,” Byeong-in desperately exclaimed. “I kept thinking about the kiss we shared…”
“You kissed your own cousin before?” Bong Hwan gasped. “That woman is full of surprises,” he mumbled to the side.
“I know you don’t have a memory of it,” Kim Byeong-in sighed sadly, lowering and shaking his head. “But I will cherish that moment…” he raised his head again, looking lovingly into his cousin’s eyes. “That was our last moment before your wedding…”
“Wait!” Bong Hwan suddenly raised his palm, stopping Kim Byeong-in’s walk on memory lane. “Before the wedding?” The cousin nodded confirming. “Right before the wedding day?” Another nod followed.
Bong Hwan frowned, remembering everything he knew about the Queen and her movements of that day. He knew for a fact that she was at the peak of her depression. She gave goodbye gifts to her friends and embroidered her last words without anyone knowing. Seeking a romantic date didn’t fit her mental stage at that time. On the other hand, with the King rejecting her, maybe Kim Soyong was desperate for love. After all, she kissed Bong Hwan that night too.
“Did I perhaps… was crying?” He carefully asked, not sure about his judgment of the woman he met only once while drowning in the water.
“You remember!” Byeong-in moved forward with excitement.
Bong Hwan threw a pillow in his direction and escaped the bed: “Aish12Aish – the form of swearing., I don’t! Keep your distance!”
Bong Hwan always was a ladies’ man and in his lifetime he did a lot of wrong things in relationships with women. Mostly cheating or not calling back. But he had standards. Bong Hwan was a trouble to women and he looked like one: a handsome troublemaker and heartbreaker. Kim Byeong-in on the contrary looked like a perfect noble man but his standards apparently were low. It reminded Bong Hwan to never judge people by first impression. For example, the King looked like a jerk but turned out to be a great dude. While Kim Byeong-in showed his unpleasant side.
“How could you think kissing a woman in deep distress, who was crying her eyes out was a great romantic idea?” Bong Hwan shook his head, observing the Queen’s cousin with a deep judgmental look.
“I know you were shocked and… pushed me away,” Kim Byeong-in admitted, the tears again appeared in his eyes.
Why his eyes are so wet all the time?
“Exactly!” Bong Hwan exclaimed. “This is why doing it was a bad idea!”
“I was trying to be away, I even missed your wedding,” the cousin continued. “It was because you promised to harm yourself if I touched you again…”
Unbelievable, Bong Hwan thought, listening in shock to Byeong-in’s confession. The most concerning part was that the man didn’t look regretful at all. He couldn’t get a clue even if it hit him right in the head!
“But the lake incident happened and I knew, you needed me to protect you! It doesn’t matter, nu-i13Nu-i is how the brother refers to his sister., I will protect you even if you…”
“Read the room, brother!” Bong Hwan shouted, listening to Byeong-in’s ramblings was unbearable.
“There’s…” Byeong-in observed the room, confused. “There’s nothing to read…”
“Then get out of the room!” Bong Hwan picked up the nearby vase, ready to defend himself and the Queen’s dignity from that delusional man.
“But Soyong-ah…”
“Don’t you ever dare to touch me!” Bong Hwan shouted, raising the vase higher. “The girl cried, pushed you away, and threatened to harm herself if you touched her! How could you think kissing her while she’s unconscious was a great idea? Get out, pervert!”
Kim Byeong-in tried to oppose but Bong Hwan’s crazy look seemed to convince him at last. The Queen’s cousin raised to his feet and bowed before rushing out of the room. Even in this insane situation, Joseon’s nobleman followed the etiquette.
“Pweh,” Bong Hwan put the vase on the floor. “At least she kissed me voluntarily,” he noted with a smug smirk.
And only when he was left completely alone, did Bong Hwan notice the room he was in looked too small and unfamiliar for Daejojeon Hall.
“Where am I?” he scratched the back of his head, looking around.
The footsteps followed by the Queen’s father’s concerned voice were heard in the hallway. And there was nowhere to hide or escape. Bong Hwan will have to meet the biggest enemy of every womanizer: a girl’s dad.
Author’s notes:
1. I probably have more fun than I should while writing BH’s adventures in post-credit scenes lmao Here he expresses my thoughts on BI’s toxic view of their kiss. She was too distressed for a confession and a kiss but it was early red flags of BI. He thought about himself and his feelings, completely disregarding what she felt and said to him. Don’t get me wrong, I like BI’s character but I don’t romanticize his love to SY. It was a toxic obsession, no way it would work with a character like that. However, I wished for him to live and redeem himself. I think his death, as beautiful and sad as it was, was lazy writing.
2. At some point in writing this story I realized I need them to start referring to each other by real names but I can’t do it randomly. CJ or SY never addressed each other by names, only in thoughts sometimes. So I wrote it as CJ’s wish and they will use real names more often now.
3. Silly confused SY, she just finds excuses of why their relationship won’t work because she doesn’t trust him. And she has every reason to doubt him! But if she keeps showing how much she knows about him and cares, he might never stop having hope lol
Another date in the next chapter and a very fluffy post-credit scene featuring SY and CJ, I hope you will like it!
Oh wow. that post-credit scene really makes sense. And yes, SY said she’d “unalive” herself if BI touched her and yet he came to visit then had a strange look on him.. so yess exactly what your thoughts are! Huh.. what an odd ball BI is. I’m glad BH called him out.